Math Curriculum

The math curriculum your child’s school uses determines the way in which they are taught everything from basic counting, addition, subtraction, to advanced algebra and geometry. It is an enormously important aspect of your child’s educational career. Many factors go into school district decisions about which math curriculum to use, including past test scores, teacher preference and the cost of different programs.

Though there are different math curriculum programs available, each program has similar goals. For younger children, programs focus first on counting skills, and then progress to basic addition, subtraction, money, and time telling. From there, students progress to multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals, and then eventually, they reach algebraic equations. How students get to this point is different, though. Some math curriculum programs focus on memorization of basic addition and subtraction sums, multiplication tables, and rules of equations. Other programs are more focused on application and fostering problem solving skills, using word problems instead of memorization. Some programs approach teaching through a process of constant review, with slow addition of new material, and some programs take a more modular approach, teaching a lesson and moving on.

One difference between various math curriculum programs is the need to separate children into groups based on their skill levels. Some curriculums require this separation so children learn at their own pace, and some curriculums ban this kind of separation. If your child excels at math, a program that gives them the opportunity to be in an advanced class may worthwhile, however, if your child struggles, the stigma attached to being in a lower level class may take a toll on their self-esteem.

Every child learns differently, and you should become familiar with the math curriculum used at your child’s school to make sure their needs are being met. If your child is struggling in math, tutors can help your child improve their skills using different methods and may be the key to their success.